If you're looking to buy Velvet (VELVET), you've come to the right place. Velvet sits at the crossroads of artificial intelligence and decentralized finance — a space that's attracting serious...
Buy Velvet (VELVET) — A simple guide
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DeFi
Decentralized finance, or DeFi, uses blockchain applications to provide services such as swapping tokens, lending, borrowing and supplying liquidity. A wallet interacts with smart contracts that hold assets and apply the protocol’s rules.
Browse the buying guides
All buying guidesBuy Moonwell (WELL) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Moonwell (WELL), you're already a step ahead of most — this is one of the more interesting DeFi lending projects building on both the Moonbeam and Base ecosystems. WELL is...
Buy Orderly (ORDER) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Orderly (ORDER), you've come to the right place. Orderly Network is building something genuinely interesting in the DeFi space — a shared liquidity layer that lets traders...
Buy Aevo (AEVO) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Aevo (AEVO), you've come to the right place. Aevo is a decentralized derivatives platform built on Ethereum's Layer 2, designed to bring fast, low-cost options and...
Buy Usual (USUAL) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Usual (USUAL), a governance and stablecoin-focused token built on Ethereum with ties to real-world assets, you've come to the right place. USUAL sits at an interesting...
Buy DIA (DIA) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy DIA (DIA), you've come to the right place. DIA is a decentralized oracle network that delivers transparent, verifiable data feeds to blockchain applications — and it's...
Buy Particle Network (PARTI) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Particle Network (PARTI), you've come to the right place. PARTI is the native token of Particle Network, a Layer-1 blockchain designed to unify accounts and liquidity across...
Buy Superform (UP) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Superform (UP), you've come to the right place. Superform is building what it calls the first stablecoin neobank — a platform where you can save, swap, send, and earn...
Buy Kyber Network Crystal (KNC) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Kyber Network Crystal (KNC), you've come to the right place. KNC is the native governance and utility token of Kyber Network, a multi-chain liquidity hub built to power...
Buy Resolv (RESOLV) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Resolv (RESOLV), you've come to the right place. Resolv is a stablecoin-focused DeFi project built on Ethereum that's been gaining attention across both the Ethereum and BNB...
Buy Lista DAO (LISTA) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Lista DAO (LISTA), you've landed in the right place. Lista DAO is a growing DeFi protocol built on BNB Chain that combines liquid staking with decentralized borrowing —...
Buy Coin98 (C98) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Coin98 (C98), you've come to the right place. C98 is the native token of one of DeFi's most ambitious all-in-one platforms, designed to connect everyday users with...
What are DeFi tokens?
Browse the buying guidesAccess can be open, although websites, asset issuers and individual products may impose restrictions. DeFi describes the service, not a guarantee that every part of it is decentralized.
How it works
Tokens can represent a vote, a deposit, a debt position or a claim on a pool of assets. These roles are not interchangeable. A governance token may have no right to protocol revenue, while a liquidity-pool token exposes its holder to the assets and pricing of that pool. Returns can come from borrower interest, trading fees or newly issued incentives; unusually high rewards need a clear explanation. Smart-contract failures, price-oracle errors, liquidation and bridge dependencies can all affect a position.
Explore the foundations
DeFi Explained: Swaps, Lending and the Risks Between Them↗
Decentralized exchanges: check a swap before you sign↗
Liquidity pools: inspect the position before you deposit↗
Sources and further reading
A little groundwork goes a long way
Before your next purchase or transfer, understand who controls access, where your crypto is going and what the trade will actually cost.
Protect access to your crypto
An exchange account and a self-custody wallet need different safeguards. Protect exchange logins with a unique password and strong two-factor authentication. For self-custody, your recovery backup is what lets you restore access.
Keep recovery words offline and private. A support agent or website asking for them is a reason to stop.
See a recovery example
Your phone breaks. An exchange may help you recover your account after identity checks. A self-custody wallet cannot reset your recovery phrase. Check your wallet’s official backup instructions before relying on it.
Choose the right transfer network
The asset, token version and network must be supported at the destination. A familiar ticker or a matching address format is not enough. Read the receiving platform’s deposit instructions before selecting a withdrawal network.
Check the address, any required memo or tag, fees and minimums. Consider a small test transfer first.
See a network example
Your destination accepts USDC on Ethereum. Selecting a cheaper network at the sending exchange does not make it an Ethereum transfer. Use a network both ends support; an ordinary withdrawal does not bridge tokens.
Understand the price you pay
Trading fees are only part of the cost. The spread, available liquidity and withdrawal charges also matter. A market order prioritizes execution; a limit order controls the price but may remain unfilled or fill only partly.
Check the order preview and the amount you will receive, then compare the full cost of your intended purchase and withdrawal.
Work through a cost example
Hypothetical example: a $200 trade with a 0.1% trading fee costs $0.20 in trading fees. A separate $5 withdrawal fee brings those charges to $5.20. Spread or slippage may add more; these are not quoted exchange rates.
